World’s first BN-800 reactor ready to generate power

Dhaka – Rosatom has made another step towards the Generation IV reactor. The world’s first 880 MW fast breeder reactor is about to generate electricity as the Russian regulator Rostekhnadzor have issued a relevant permit and final tests have been kicked off. The new reactor unit of Beloyarsk NPP will be brought online in December.Yuri Nosov, Chief Engineer at the Beloyarsk NPP said that “Bringing the unit online will be a step-by-step process, with power generation capacity increased from 5 to 15, 25, 35 and then 50%. In fact, the process ends when the turbine generator is connected to the power grid and is followed by a 72-hour comprehensive testing cycle”. He explained that all the required checks were completed, including a long reactor startup phase when the project team verified the compliance of the reactor, core, steam generator and tertiary loop with design specifications.
Russia is an undisputable leader in fast breeder technologies. A BN-600 fast breeder developed by OKBM has been in operation at the Beloyarsk NPP for 35 years. No other country working in this field has achieved similar results. The Generation IV BN-800 reactor is yet another step in the closed fuel cycle technology development. The reactor design incorporates proven BN-600 technologies and solutions that were further optimized to improve its safety and cost efficiency, a representative of OKBM Afrikantov said.
According to Yuri Nosov, Unit 4 will start commercial operation by the end of the next year. Commercial operation will be preceded by a pilot operation mode and a stepwise capacity increase from 60–70% up to the rated level. Process parameters will be monitored at each step for the compliance with the project design. “Some of them will be probably adjusted, but even now we see that reactor safety is maintained at the required level – all safety-related systems have been tested and are fully functional,” adds Yuri Nosov. – Triune Group press release